Donna vs James

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Donna

Girl #1,937 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"lady, woman"

Origin: Italian

Cultural Roots

Italian American Irish English

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,937
Total SSA Count
102
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Don, Donnie

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Donna →

James

Boy #5 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"supplanter, one who follows at the heel"

Origin: Hebrew

Cultural Roots

English Scottish Biblical

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#5
Total SSA Count
11,793
Syllables
1
Formality
Formal
Nicknames
Jim, Jimmy, Jamie

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for James →

Popularity Comparison

Donna Rank #1,937
James Rank #5

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #1937 for Donna.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Donna ___

  • Donna Marie
  • Donna Jean
  • Donna Lynn
  • Donna Lee
  • Donna Jo
  • Donna Kay

James ___

  • James Alexander
  • James William
  • James Thomas
  • James Edward
  • James Henry
  • James Patrick

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Donna

Linda Sandra Barbara Dennis Larry

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Donna or James more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Donna at #1937 in the United States.

What do Donna and James mean?

Donna means "lady, woman" (Italian origin). James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Donna and James boy or girl names?

Donna is primarily a girl name. James is primarily a boy name.

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← Full profile: Donna ← Full profile: James Browse all baby names